* * * * * Hon. Harvey Rice, who has attained the ripe old age of 84 years, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his arrival in Cleveland on the 24th day of last September. Nearly two hundred persons, acquaintances and friends, assembled at his residence, 427 Woodland Ave., Cleveland, to pay him their respects—a very fitting tribute to one to whom not alone the citizens of the Forest City, but also the people of Ohio, and in a certain sense of the whole country are very largely indebted for valuable services. For his able efforts in behalf of the improved management of common schools he has for many years been appropriately called the father of the Ohio system of common school instruction, which has been largely imitated by other States. Mr. Rice is the author of several books, some of which have had a very good circulation. He is a graceful writer of poetry as well as of prose. * * * * * No other branch of knowledge is so neglected as that of history. Many who are familiar with mathematics, philosophy, the sciences, and the languages are almost totally without historical knowledge. Many who do give it attention too often study it inadequately, considering it a dry statement of facts, events and dates. History, when rightly studied, affords information of the greatest profit and rarest interest. It unfolds to our understanding not merely the chief events of the past, but the purposes, the efforts and achievements of the great minds of each age in the actual drama of life, and gives us many pleasant glimpses into the world of thought, purpose and feeling of another time. * * * * * In importance and value history is excelled by no other story. It does not possess an equal interest for every student, for the very evident reason that every student of history does not evince for it the same degree of fidelity and love. But to every disciple it brings a reward. It widens the horizon of his thought, solves for him many an intricate problem in the affairs of life, acquaints him with the events of the human race, brings him in contact with the greatest minds and loftiest spirits of every age, and enables him to gain a better understanding of the fellow-beings with whom he mingles. * * * * * The earliest Historical Society in this country, we believe, is the American Philosophical Society, of Philadelphia, organized in 1743. If any reader knows of an earlier historical organization we shall be obliged for the information. In fact, we would like a complete list of all the historical societies in the country. Who can furnish it? PIONEER SOCIETIES.